If you are a hiker you simply
must plan a trip to Hocking Hills. Part of the Allegheny Plateau of Ohio, Hocking Hills is a mix of gorges, cliffs, waterfalls and rock shelters all in one place. It’s a dream come true for any hiker.
The six major hiking trails in the State Park of Hocking Hills are Ash Cave, Rock House, Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Conkle’s Hollow, Cantwell Cliffs and Rock House.
Old Man’s Cave – Situated on State Route 664, the Old Man’s Cave is the most popular among all the Hocking Hills hiking trails. Also called the Grandma Gatewood Trail, it starts its course of six miles at the Upper Falls and forms a connection between Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave.
It has been separated into 5 main portions; Lower Gorge, Lower Falls, Middle Falls, Upper Gorge and Upper Falls.
Ash Cave – So stunning you will be staring, the Ash Cave is found in the south most part of Hocking Hills. It is the state’s largest cave and begins after a narrow gorge that is bordered by hemlocks, giant beech trees and numerous other hardwoods.
The floor of the valley shows off beautiful wildflowers all year round such as trout lily, jewelweed, trillium and Dutchman’s breeches. The massive 700 foot cave is shaped like a horseshoe and has a depth of 100 feet.
Cedar Falls – Found at the junction of Queer Creek and Old Man’s Creek, Cedar Falls is a scenic valley decorated with hemlock and surround by rock walls, waterfalls and grottos. This is the largest waterfall in the Hocking County in terms of volume and restrooms and a picnic area have been made for visitors.
Rock House – the sole “true” cave in Hocking Hills, the Rock House is a corridor that you will come across midway while going up a Blackhand sandstone cliff with a height of 150 feet. Its corridor has a length of 200 feet, a width of about 25 feet and a height of 25 feet.
Cantwell Cliffs – Situated on S.R. 373 at a 17 mile distance from Old Man’s Cave, Cantwell Cliffs has been crowned as the most beautiful area of Hocking Hills by many visitors.
Its trail runs through passageways; the narrowest passage has been named Fat Woman’s Squeeze, a name appreciated by anyone with a sense of humor.
Conkle’s Hollow – though to be the deepest rocky gorge of Ohio, Conkle’s Hollow has a floor carpeted with wild flowers and ferns and a roof of birch and hemlock. Trailers will see 200 feet high vertical cliffs around the valley.
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